Chapter 19 - The Dawn of Peace
The sun was just beginning to rise over Lake Michigan, casting a brilliant, golden glow over the penthouse office.
Marin was sitting on the leather sofa, a cup of untouched coffee in her hands, watching the elevator doors.
She had not slept a single second.
When the heavy doors finally chimed and slid open, she dropped the mug on the table and ran.
Dorian barely had time to brace himself before she collided with his chest, her arms wrapping around his neck with desperate, crushing force.
He buried his face in her hair, inhaling the sweet, familiar scent of vanilla, feeling the last remnants of the violent night completely wash away.
"You came back," she whispered, her voice trembling with absolute relief.
"I told you," Dorian replied, kissing the top of her head.
"I always come back to you."
He pulled away just enough to look into her tired, beautiful eyes.
"Thorne is in federal custody," Dorian told her softly.
"His accounts have been seized, his men are in jail, and the FBI has enough evidence to put him away for three lifetimes."
Marin’s eyes widened in sheer disbelief.
"You didn't kill him?" she asked, knowing what it must have cost a man like Dorian to show mercy.
Dorian shook his head, a genuine, peaceful smile touching his lips for the first time in his life.
"I didn't have to," he answered.
"You were right, Marin."
"I don't have to be the king of the underworld to protect my family."
"I just have to be a man."
Titan trotted out from behind the desk, letting out a massive yawn before happily nudging his wet nose against Marin’s leg.
She laughed, the sound breaking the heavy tension in the room, and knelt to hug the massive dog.
Dorian watched them, realizing that the ghosts of his past were finally, truly dead.
Victor was gone.
Elias Thorne was gone.
The blood that had stained his hands for over a decade had been washed clean by the incredible woman kneeling on his floor.
He reached down and gently pulled Marin back to her feet, wiping a single, happy tear from her cheek.
"The foundation is safe," Dorian murmured, pulling her close.
"You are safe."
"Now, we have a very important question to settle."
Marin looked up at him, entirely confused by the sudden change in his tone.
"What question?" she asked.
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Dorian smirked, the devastatingly handsome smile that always made her heart skip a beat.
"We need to decide if Titan is going to wear a tuxedo or a bowtie at our wedding."
